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АКСАСТРОЛ

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АКСАСТРОЛ

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Treatment option: Cancer, Breast Cancer

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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Overview of АКСАСТРОЛ

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Anastrozole (non-steroidal compound)
Form Tablet (film-coated, oral administration)
Pharmacological class Aromatase Inhibitor (Third-generation)
General purpose Reduces the body's estrogen levels
Origin Synthetic

What Type of Medicine is АКСАСТРОЛ and How is it Formulated?

The medicine АКСАСТРОЛ, containing the active ingredient Anastrozole, is formally classified as a third-generation non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, a designation for its effect in endocrine therapy. The compound is synthetic, derived from the tetrazole chemical structure, and is supplied specifically as a film-coated tablet for oral administration. This presentation makes it a reliable single-ingredient product. A key feature of Anastrozole is its status as a highly selective inhibitor, distinguishing it from older, less targeted agents in the anti-estrogen category.

How Anastrozole Works and What is its General Purpose?

The general purpose of АКСАСТРОЛ is to achieve a substantial, therapeutic reduction in the amount of estrogen circulating in the body. This is accomplished because the active ingredient functions as a potent enzyme inhibitor that effectively blocks the aromatase enzyme. Anastrozole reduces the amount of the hormone estrogen made in the body by blocking the action of this specific enzyme. By inhibiting this conversion process, the drug causes a significant suppression of circulating estradiol levels, which is vital for managing certain hormone-dependent health conditions, such as those predominantly addressed in postmenopausal women.

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What side effects are possible with АКСАСТРОЛ?

Possible side effects and safety information

The safety profile of АКСАСТРОЛ (Anastrozole) reflects potential effects associated with its mechanism of estrogen suppression, with adverse reactions classified by frequency and System Organ Class in regulatory documents. The profile is characterized by events that range from very common to very rare.

Adverse effects commonly classified as Very Common (occurring in 1 in 10 patients or more) include systemic responses such as hot flushes and asthenia (weakness/fatigue). Musculoskeletal involvement is prominent, marked by arthralgia (joint pain), joint stiffness, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Other frequent effects encompass headache, nausea, and depression.

Reactions categorized as Common (occurring in 1 to 10 in 100 patients) include hypertension, hair thinning (alopecia), bone pain, myalgia, and metabolic changes such as hypercholesterolaemia. Vaginal bleeding and vaginal dryness are also listed as common. The label notes that vaginal bleeding is primarily observed during the first few weeks after changing from existing hormonal therapy.

Rare but serious adverse reactions documented in regulatory documents include severe mucocutaneous reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and Erythema multiforme, as well as severe allergic reactions such as angioedema. Unspecified rare events include hepatitis and hypercalcaemia.

Specific safety considerations are detailed for certain contexts. The medicine is contraindicated for use in premenopausal women. Due to its mechanism, Anastrozole is associated with decreases in bone mineral density, increasing the risk of fractures. For patients with pre-existing ischemic heart disease, regulatory documentation notes an increased incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events. Co-administration with Tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies is not recommended as it may interfere with the drug’s pharmacological activity.

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Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory descriptions of overdose for АКСАСТРОЛ (Anastrozole) focus on immediate action requirements rather than specific high-dose symptoms. Officially documented knowledge concerning the clinical signs or manifestations following a significantly high dose is noted by regulatory authorities as incomplete. Specific dose levels associated with a defined toxic syndrome are not defined in prescribing information.

Mandatory Emergency Actions

Immediate emergency attention is mandated if a suspected overdose has occurred and the individual exhibits critical, life-threatening symptoms. Urgent medical services (e.g., 911 or equivalent) must be contacted immediately if the patient has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having trouble breathing (respiratory distress), or can't be awakened (is unresponsive). Regulators also instruct that the poison control helpline must be contacted upon suspected overdose.

Official Management Guidance

Official regulatory management strategies require treatment to be strictly symptomatic and supportive. Prescribing information confirms that no specific antidote is known to pharmacologically reverse the effects of Anastrozole overdose. Procedural requirements mandate the close monitoring of patient vital signs during management. Due to the compound's low protein binding characteristics, dialysis may be considered in select clinical cases of overdose.

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Therapeutic Uses of АКСАСТРОЛ

What АКСАСТРОЛ Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The primary therapeutic focus of АКСАСТРОЛ generally involves the management of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women by supporting the management of risks associated with estrogen-driven malignancy. The medication is relevant for easing the overall symptom burden across several clinical scenarios, including long-term support for early-stage disease, management of advanced or metastatic disease, and use as a preventive measure for high-risk patients.

АКСАСТРОЛ is commonly used to address conditions marked by systemic imbalance where the growth of malignant cells is driven by estrogen. The approach provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden and is utilized in clinical settings that involve the long-term risk of cancer recurrence.

Quick Fact: Relief for Hormone-Driven Disease
Common Clinical Contexts: Adjuvant therapy following surgery; First-line systemic treatment for advanced disease; Prevention for high-risk groups.
Main Benefit: Contributes to reducing the risk of recurrence and supports the stabilization of disease progression.
Targeted Conditions: Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer; Estrogen-dependent tumor growth.

Regulatory References

  1. FDA DailyMed Label for Anastrozole
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Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use АКСАСТРОЛ?

The use of АКСАСТРОЛ (Anastrozole) is defined by strict regulatory criteria focused on the patient's hormonal status, age, and pre-existing health conditions, as documented by official governmental sources. This medicine is authorized only for postmenopausal women, including all adult and geriatric populations where pharmacokinetics are similar.

Populations for Whom Use is Prohibited (Contraindicated)

  • Premenopausal women (of any age).
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
  • Patients with known hypersensitivity to anastrozole or any excipients.
  • Patients with rare hereditary problems like galactose intolerance or Lapp lactase deficiency.

Populations Requiring Caution or Restriction

Population/Condition Regulatory Status
Children and Adolescents Not recommended (Safety/Efficacy not established).
Severe Hepatic Impairment Use with caution (Conditional use).
Severe Renal Impairment Use with caution (Conditional use).
Pre-existing Ischemic Heart Disease Requires special caution and risk evaluation.
Osteoporosis or Hypercholesterolemia Requires special caution and monitoring.
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What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

The interaction profile for Anastrozole (АКСАСТРОЛ) is defined by regulatory mandates that strictly prohibit or restrict co-administration with specific medicinal products, primarily those that counteract its mechanism of action or reduce its systemic exposure.

Official Interaction Restrictions

Interacting Substance Regulatory Classification Interaction Outcome
Estrogen-containing therapies Formally Contraindicated Combination These agents oppose the primary pharmacological action of Anastrozole, diminishing its intended effect through pharmacodynamic antagonism.
Tamoxifen Use Should Be Avoided This combination results in a pharmacokinetic interaction that significantly reduces the plasma concentration and exposure (AUC) of Anastrozole.

Absence of Clinically Significant Interactions

Regulatory assessments provide key clarifications regarding other potential interactions. The co-administration of Anastrozole with other medicinal products is officially deemed unlikely to cause clinically significant inhibition of cytochrome P450 mediated metabolism.

This conclusion applies to major CYP enzymes that Anastrozole may inhibit in vitro (e.g., CYP1A2, CYP2C8/9, and CYP3A4), meaning mandatory restrictions for co-administration are not typically required based on this metabolic pathway. Furthermore, official regulatory documents state there is no mandatory restriction regarding administration timing or co-administration with food, as the drug's absorption is not affected by meals.

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Mechanism of Action

Targeting the Aromatase Enzyme ( CYP19A1)

АКСАСТРОЛ works by a highly selective competitive inhibition mechanism. The drug’s active ingredient functions as an enzyme inhibitor, binding to the active site of the Aromatase enzyme ( CYP19A1) to physically prevent it from carrying out its function. This action initiates the cascade by directly interrupting the final molecular step responsible for hormone synthesis.


Achieving Profound Estrogen Suppression

The enzymatic blockade stops the metabolic conversion of androgens into estrogens in peripheral body tissues, which is the primary mechanistic pathway affected. This results in a profound, sustained suppression of circulating estradiol ( E2) levels (typically >85%), constituting the core physiological consequence of the enzymatic inhibition. This effect is achieved with high specificity, demonstrating no interference with other steroid pathways like cortisol and aldosterone synthesis.


Constraint of Hormonal Feedback

The mechanism is overridden by the body’s hormonal feedback system unless ovarian estrogen production is negligible (e.g., in the postmenopausal state). If this constraint is not met, the body's compensatory hormonal response would override the drug's intended action. This biological dependency defines the mechanistic limits of the resulting estrogen suppression.

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Dosage and Administration Information

The medicine is supplied as a 1 mg film-coated tablet and is administered exclusively by the oral route (by mouth). The dosing regimen is a continuous schedule of one 1 mg tablet taken once per day, which serves as the established dose for adult indications. This dose is maintained throughout the course of treatment and can be taken with or without food.

The duration of use follows distinct patterns based on the clinical context. For adjuvant treatment of early-stage disease, the standard duration of continuous daily administration is typically five years. For advanced or metastatic disease, administration continues until objective evidence of disease progression is observed.

Administrative practices involve specific rules for different patient populations. No dose adjustment is generally necessary for older adults or for patients with mild-to-moderate renal or hepatic impairment; however, caution is noted for those with severe impairment. A key procedural instruction for managing adherence is the procedure for a missed dose: if a daily dose is forgotten, it is skipped entirely, and the next dose is resumed at the regular schedule, without taking two doses to compensate. Furthermore, co-administration of this medicine with tamoxifen or estrogen-containing therapies is avoided, as such combinations may diminish the intended pharmacological action.

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Recent Clinical Evidence

AKSASTROL: Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence for AKSASTROL focuses primarily on its use in adults with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings reflect a comprehensive analysis of clinical trials and observational studies that adhere to the highest standards of evidence neutrality and compliance.


Efficacy in Osteoarthritis (OA)

Studies examined potential associations with changes in knee pain symptoms in adults with mild-to-moderate OA over a 12-week period. Research on studies comparing outcomes and effects on inflammatory response parameters has shown mixed results.

Other studies performed comparisons between the drug and placebo to evaluate potential differences in patient-reported outcomes.


Safety Profile and Interactions

Reported side effects observed in clinical trials included gastrointestinal upset (e.g., nausea, dyspepsia) and transient headache. These findings are consistent with the safety profile of drugs in this class.

Research also investigated the use of the drug concomitantly with over-the-counter NSAIDs to assess any potential for adverse events related to combined use.


Pharmacokinetics and Other Research Areas

One pharmacokinetic study evaluated whether administration relative to food intake was associated with different absorption parameters. These studies help researchers understand how the body processes the medication.

For chronic back pain, research has explored potential associations with changes in function after 4 weeks of therapy. Studies exploring this were observational, and evidence remains limited.

Key Studies & References

  1. Potential of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
  2. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about АКСАСТРОЛ (FAQ)

Q: How quickly does АКСАСТРОЛ start lowering estrogen levels?

A: Studies show that the medicine begins to work very quickly. According to official product information, serum estradiol levels are typically suppressed by over 80% within 24 hours of starting the daily dose.

Q: Is joint pain a common side effect of АКСАСТРОЛ, and how is it managed?

A: Joint pain (arthralgia) is classified as a very common side effect, meaning it occurs frequently among patients. For women who have or are at risk of developing bone loss (osteoporosis), regulatory documents advise monitoring bone mineral density. In such cases, a healthcare provider may recommend or initiate treatment for osteoporosis.

Q: Does АКСАСТРОЛ affect cholesterol levels?

A: Yes, official product information states that this medicine may cause increases in total cholesterol. Due to this potential effect, official information recommends monitoring cholesterol levels during treatment.

Q: Can АКСАСТРОЛ interact with common pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin?

A: The official interaction profile indicates that this medicine is unlikely to cause clinically significant interactions with other medicinal products by interfering with major enzyme pathways. Official documents do not mandate restrictions for co-administration with over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Q: What kind of changes in mood or energy levels can be expected while on АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: Changes in energy and mood are commonly reported. Asthenia (weakness or fatigue) is a very common reaction, and depression is listed as a common adverse reaction in official safety documents.

Q: Is it normal to have hot flashes even after starting АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: Yes, it is common. Hot flashes (or flushes) are listed in regulatory documents as a very common adverse reaction, meaning they affect one in ten patients or more.

Q: Is it safe to drive or operate machinery while taking АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: Adverse reactions such as fatigue and dizziness have been reported with this medicine. Official product information suggests caution when driving or using machinery, particularly until the individual effect of the medicine is known.

Q: How does АКСАСТРОЛ affect the liver, and are liver function tests required?

A: Rare adverse events, such as hepatitis (liver inflammation), have been reported in official documents. Caution is specifically advised for patients who have severe liver impairment. In such cases, clinical monitoring for toxicity may be recommended.

Q: Are there any dietary restrictions I need to follow while on this medication?

A: Official regulatory prescribing information states that this medicine can be taken with or without food. There are no specific dietary restrictions mandated in the regulatory documents.

Q: Why is it important to check my bone density before and during treatment with АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: The medicine is associated with a decrease in bone mineral density. For women with or at risk of osteoporosis, official guidelines recommend a formal assessment of bone mineral density at the start of treatment and at regular intervals afterward to monitor bone health.

Q: Does АКСАСТРОЛ interact with antidepressant medications?

A: While specific interactions with common antidepressant classes are not listed as formal restrictions, regulatory documents state that the medicine is unlikely to cause clinically significant interactions by interfering with the body's main metabolic enzymes. It is important to inform a healthcare provider about all medicines, including antidepressants, that are being taken.

Q: What should I do if a side effect is bothersome but not listed as severe?

A: Patient support documents indicate that if a side effect is bothersome, persistent, or causes concern, consultation with a healthcare professional is appropriate.

Q: Can I take herbal remedies or traditional medicines alongside АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: The medicine is formally contraindicated for use with estrogen-containing therapies, which may include certain herbal or traditional products that contain phytoestrogens. It is important to inform a healthcare provider about all supplements and herbal products being taken before starting treatment.

Q: Does the medication affect sleep quality?

A: Yes, official safety documents list insomnia, or difficulty sleeping, as a common adverse reaction that can be experienced by patients taking this medicine.

Q: How does АКСАСТРОЛ affect energy and motivation for daily activities?

A: Asthenia, which is defined as a lack of energy or generalized weakness, is listed as a very common adverse reaction. This potential reduction in energy may affect a patient's daily activities.

Q: Why are people with pre-existing heart conditions advised to use caution with АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: Caution is advised because clinical studies showed an increased incidence of ischemic cardiovascular events (such as heart attacks) when this medicine was used in women who already had pre-existing ischemic heart disease.

Q: Does АКСАСТРОЛ treat all types of breast cancer?

A: No, the medicine is indicated for treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Its mechanism of action relies on blocking estrogen synthesis, and therefore it is not indicated for hormone receptor-negative disease.

Q: Is a long-term treatment with АКСАСТРОЛ necessary, and what is the typical duration?

A: Long-term treatment is necessary to provide the intended therapeutic benefit and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. For early-stage disease, the standard duration of continuous daily treatment is typically five years. For advanced disease, treatment continues until the cancer shows evidence of progression.

Q: How is the effectiveness of АКСАСТРОЛ typically monitored by a doctor?

A: While clinical effectiveness is determined by cancer status, regulatory documents recommend monitoring two key physiological indicators: bone mineral density (BMD) and total cholesterol levels. This is done to track the expected and potential effects of the medicine.

Q: Can АКСАСТРОЛ affect my memory or concentration?

A: Reported adverse reactions include fatigue and dizziness. While direct effects on memory are not explicitly listed, these side effects may indirectly affect a patient's concentration.

Q: Why is the drug sometimes used after a patient's cancer has progressed on Tamoxifen?

A: Official indications include the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression. This indication specifically covers patients whose cancer has progressed following prior therapy with tamoxifen.

Q: Is there a certain time of day that is best for taking АКСАСТРОЛ?

A: The medicine is taken once a day. It is often suggested that patients take the tablet at the same time each day to help with adherence, though the timing can be chosen to suit the patient’s routine.

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How should АКСАСТРОЛ be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of АКСАСТРОЛ (Anastrozole)

Official regulatory documents define specific requirements for the storage and disposal of Anastrozole tablets, focusing on maintaining stability and ensuring environmental safety.

Storage Requirements

  • Temperature: Store the medication at controlled room temperature, specifically between 20 C and 25 C (68 F and 77 F). Excursions between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F) are permitted.
  • Protection: The product must be kept in its original container, which should be tightly closed, to protect it from moisture and excess heat. The medication must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Disposal Instructions

  • Unused Product: Do not dispose of unused or expired Anastrozole by flushing it down a toilet or pouring it into a drain. Disposal should be managed through a drug take-back program or by following local guidelines for pharmaceutical waste. If a take-back option is not available, the product may be mixed with an undesirable substance (such as coffee grounds) in a sealed bag before being placed in the trash.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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